Tape cutter



June 2, 1942. w. 1'1 DoNAx-loo E-rAL TAPE GUTTER Filed Nov. 25, 1938 ATTORNEYS WITNESS Patented June 2, 1942 TAPE CUTTER William Thomas Donahoo, Gadsden, and Oliver v Arthur Phillips, Anniston, Ala.

Application November 25, 1938, Serial No. 242,366

(Cl. 20G-52) 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for cutting adhesive tape or the like normally supported on rolls or spools. a

The primary object of the invention resides in 4the provision of a cutter adapted to be disposed at right angles across the tape to be cut and embodying means for frictionally holding the cutter in position on'the roll or spool as the tape is unreeled therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape cutting device which is of simple form and construction yet strong and eiicient for the purposes intended.

The general features of the device embody a substantially unitary construction formed of a material such as stainless steel or the like and includes a straight horizontal section adapted to extend across the width of the roll or spool. A cutting edge in the form of serrated teeth form a part of the horizontal section and are curved toward the roll of material to improve the cutting qualities thereof. A pair of arms depend from the horizontal section and the ends thereof are formed with arcuate shaped portions adapted to engage the hub portion ofthe roll or spool to frictionally support the device and maintain the cutting edge in spaced relation from the roll of tape.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device attached to a roll of tape;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cutter removed from the roll;

l Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof wherein is illustrated the pre- {erred embodiment of the invention, a roll or spool carrying adhesive tape or the like thereon is indicated generally by the reference numeral 8, said spool being formed with conventional marginal flanges 9 and I0 and a depressed central portion II serving as a hub on which the roll of tape I2 is supported. The device is shown in use with a roll having a central hub portion substantially as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing. 50

It is to be understood, however, that the cutter can beemployed with the type of spool including a hollow central portion which forms the hub fi); supporting the roll of adhesive tape or the 'I'he new and improved cutter generally indicated at I3 and clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, includes a straight horizontal section I4 adapted to rest on the outer marginal portions 9 and IIJ of the spool. A pair of arms I5 and I6 depend at right angles to the horizontal section I4 and the ends of said arms are formed with arcuate shaped portions I1 and I8 for engagement with the hub of the roll or spool as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing. The arcuate portions I'l and I8 are frictionally held in engagement with the hub of the spool or roll for supporting the device and maintaining the horigntal section in spaced relation from the roll of A cutting edge in the form of serrated teeth I9 is formed on the horizontal section I4 and said teeth are curved downwardly toward the roll of material in order to improve the cutting qualities thereof. By curvingthe teeth I9 in the manner proposed, it is also possible to utilize a cover for the roll and attached cutting device thereby providing a more sanitary package.

Extending rearwardly of and integral with the horizontal section I4 is a substantially semicircular shaped lip .20 having a knurled portion 2| thereon adapted to be engaged by the thumb or nger when employing the device for cutting tape. The lip 2I preferably extends downwardly within the marginal edges V9 and I0 of the roll in order to permit attachment of a cover or the like as previously described.

The arms I5 and I6 are also formed with knurled portions 22 serving as gripping areas should it be desired to hold said arms while using the cutter. In other. words, the cutter can be held by either lip 2Ilior arms I5 and I6 while cutting the tape,.whichever is most convenient for the user.

Av roll or spool of adhesive tape or the like may be dispensed with the herein described cutter forming a part thereof or may be independently sold and attached to the roll or spool after purchase. It is preferred, however, to have said cutter form a part of the roll or spool without interfering with the cover which is made possible by the lip 2| and teeth I9 curving downwardlyl toward the roll of material. In operation the free end 23 of the tape I2 is pulled forwardly until the desired length of tape is obtained.

When removing the tape from the roll either the arms Il and II. or the lip 20 will be held by the user thereby permitting the roll or spool to rotate for dispensing the tape. The tape is then severed by drawing the edge thereof against the cutting teeth I9. lIt will thus be seen that the attached cutter does not interfere with the unreeling oi' a desired length of tape since the arcuate portions I1 and Il of the arms I5 and I6 are freely movable on the hub I l. The' cutter can, however, be rigidly held while drawing the tape across the cutting edge thereof.

Also it will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that variations in the hereinabove described device involving the substitution oi' substantial equivalents for the devices described are intended to be comprehended within the spirit oi the present invention and that the invention is capable of extended application and is not coniined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cutting device of the character described comprising. a member having a straight horizontal section and a pair of arms at right angles thereto, each of said arms having an inwardly projecting and relatively wide arcii'orm portion adapted to be movably inserted in appressed relation within the end ot an adhesive tape holding spool and tape cutting means carried by said horizontal section. said means comprising serrated teeth-like members integral with and extending downwardly from said horizontal section.

2. A cutting device of the character described comprising, a member having a straight horizontal section and a pair of arms at right angles thereto, each of said arms having an inwardly projecting and relatively wide arcitorm portion adapted to be movably inserted in appressed relation within the end of an adhesive tape holding spool, tape cutting means carried by said horizontal section comprising serrated teeth-like members integral with and extending downwardly from said horizontal section, and a lip member extending rearwardly of and integral with said horizontal section for holding said device when cutting tape on said cutting means vvrnnrslirTriolisme Dommoo. OLIVER Ammon mms. 

